Category Archives: ~ Duty-free / rum-runners ~

Glenlivet unveils a new whisky

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Scotch producers Glenlivet recently blessed planet Earth with a new expression, labelled the Guardians’ Chapter, a limited edition.

It was unveiled at an outlet of the oldest barbershop in the world, Truefitt & Hill, in JW Marriott, KL. Guardians were entitled to a complimentary service at the outlet – The Royal Cut, or The Ultimate Shave. Nice.

Obligatory

Obligatory

The Exotic is the result of a special voting process by thousands of Guardians spanning 37 countries including Malaysia. Master Distiller Alan Winchester created three whiskies (single malts) to choose from –  Exotic, Classic and Revival in Sept 2013.

In the domestic market, the Guardians’ Chapter will be available only to the Guardians for purchase at RM398 a bottle, or at selected travel retail.

Mall party

Mall party

The Exotic is rich and luscious. I find it velvety smooth as well, and almost Cognac-like in it’s hints of sweetness, making it easy to drink.

It’s cool that they went for a high ABV of  48.7%, but you’d never know it – you wouldn’t feel any burn, at least when enjoyed with rocks.

I recommend it.

Incoming

Incoming

Sluuurp!

Sluuurp!

After several delicious whiskies, I went for the Royal Cut. Quite a detailed process, considering my hair was pretty short to begin with. It was a relaxing 45-minute experience which i enjoyed. Fortunately we could drink during the session. And then the party moved to Omakase + Appreciate.

Hard at work

Hard at work

Truefitt & Hill hails from an era of craftsmanship, with a history that began in fashionable Mayfair, England, in 1805. Patrons have included  Oscar Wilde, Frank Sinatra, Alfred Hitchcock, Fred Astaire and The Thirsty Blogger. There’re several outlets here.

Fondling men's hair for 200 years

Fondling men’s hair for 200 years

Says Pernod Ricard Malaysia’s Angelyn Gan, “Taking our Guardians on a little trip back in time to experience such classic old world grooming services is what the Guardians programme strives for with each event.”

Good job there PRM. Some of the previous events have been cool too. Something i always look forward to!

Hey Monkey-Man. Need a leg-shave?

Hey Monkey Man. Need a leg-shave?

Brain damage: 8.5/10

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World-first: Absolut Brand Store launched @ KLIA

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Post written by my buddy and fellow alco Paulie:

I was invited to attend the launch of Absolut’s 1st ever retail boutique in the world, in KLIA, representing The Thirsty Blogger of course.

At the event, we were accompanied by cocktails (they had a virgin drink, didnt interest me) made from Absolut Hibiskus, mixed with pomegranate, etc.

Thats all it took for me to get into my comfortable mode, which meant only one thing, Absolut Drownme. You usually get it at Absolut events. Limited edition if you ask me.

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The PRM big guns gave their respective speeches and MAHB’s GM gave the last one followed by the official launch (ribbon cutting) of the outlet.

Pretty nice set up, the event. The outlet itself is located right at the entrance and exit of the sky train platform. Convenient.

I was impressed with the layout of the place. Its the only place in the world that you can find all the flavours of the Absolut family, after their Swedish warehouse of course. However they didnt have the Absolut Pepper and Absolut blue on. There was a couple of their limited edition Absoluts on display.

The highlight of the launch of course, for me was their bar. Yes, you heard me right. The brand store actually boasts a bar that, beat this, sells Absolut cocktails with duty free prices!

The bar that day was run by Mark Tay, the founder of BarSmiths Singapore  and according to him, will be run by one of their boys during normal operations.

Pretty impressive set of cocktails they had. Absolut Calamansi, Absolut Hibiskus Gingerlime, Absolut Hibiskus Chilli, Absolut Hibiskus PomRose and Absolut Hibiskus Tropical Passion. I rated the Absolut Chilli as the best tasting one. I thought that the Gingerlime was good too.

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The rest, just tasted normal to me, though the preparation looked pretty interesting, with Mark scooping out pomegranate seeds for the PomRose and using melted gula melaka for the tropical passion. Picture chilli seeds boiled in hot water and the liquid later used as a flavouring for the Absolut Chilli. Pretty neat eh?

I was so engrossed chatting with Mark and getting high (prepping myself for the next party, (Arthurs Day at Sepang) by the time i turned around, i was the only person still standing there.

Said my goodbyes to the nice people of Absolut and made my way to the main KLIA lobby nice and buzzed.

 

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Absolut goes Denim, Baileys reshapes

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Absolut has a trendy new bottle out, Absolut Denim.

I like denim. It’s been rockin since the days of the Wild West. Stylish, durable and timeless.

NYC’s Brooklyn-based ‘edgy’ denim designer Loren Cronk, described as a “star in the avant-garde street fashion scene with a reputation for his handmade denim jeans”, has designed a gift pack.

absolut-denim

Tight

The Pernod Ricard-owned brand says the Cronk design gives the brand “elegance and swagger, street chic and cool, to get the party started…” Yea, sumtin like dat.

The bottle is hugged by a zipper-sealed dark denim sleeve. And the skin has insulation built-in (I assume its neoprene), so it keeps the liquid cold… Nice.

Taken from the freezer, the sleeve keeps the vodka cool for up to two hours – “genius for the proper urban summer party.” Good, as it’s summer here year-round.

Available in travel retail.

 

Baileys redesigns

The world’s most famous liqueur has created a new bottle, one that is more sleek. Surprising, as it changed the bottle as recently in 2010.

The cream booze is now in a bottle dats taller with higher shoulders. It follows Baileys’ new tagline, The Cream With Spirit.

Stating the obvious there.

Ol Roundy vs Slim Jim

Ol Roundy vs Slim Jim

It launches this month, and is for the worldwide market.

Speaking of which, i recently scored a bottle of the limited edition Baileys Orange Truffle! Yea!

Wouldnt mind one of these either!

Wouldnt mind one of these either!

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New drinks

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Four alcohol brands – Laphroaig, Balvenie, Cointreau & Brugal – released new editions last week, all in travel retail.

The new look Laphroaig GTR range comprises: QA, the new entry level brand which is priced at €55; An Cuan Mor, also newly launched and priced at €95.

The Balvenie Triple Cask range comprises a 12 YO, 16 YO and 25 YO expression, each of which have been matured in three steps using different styles of barrel.

The Balvenie – not so big here yet, but picking

First-fill bourbon are used first, refill bourbon casks are used second, followed by a final period of aging in Jerez sherry casks.

Rémy Cointreau also joins the party with its new line extension, Cointreau Noir, a 40% ABV blend of orange liqueur and Rémy Marin cognac. Sounds tasty.

You could probably mix this into Baileys

Matthew Hodges of Remy Martin says “Cointreau Noir is a sultry dark version of the orange liqueur we know and love – the blend of Cointreau and cognac seems to add depth which we believe will appeal to dark spirits connoisseurs as well as lovers of cocktails.”

Maxxium also unveiled Brugal Papa Andres, a new ultra-premium rum. Named after the company’s founder Don Andres Brugal, Brugal Papa Andres is limited to 500 bottles, exclusive to travel retail and is priced at €900/US$1,200.

Brugal. One letter away from Brutal

The number of new products out there is pretty astounding. Even Johnnie Walker just released a new expression under its Explorers Club range – three to be exact. Spice Road, Gold Route, and Royal Silk Route. Details here.

And on top of that, two months ago, John Walker & Sons released Odyssey, a triple malt.

Phew. You’d need to travel every week just to get your collection!

Some affordable, others strictly for collectors. Available in airports in US, Europe and Asia at different times.

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